Articles published under the media release byline are news produced by the relevant business and remain unedited by Brews News. This media release on the Summer Craft Beer Festival was circulated by GABS Festival.

After having to postpone all of their 2020 events due to pandemic restrictions, the team that brings you the iconic GABS Festivals and one of the world’s biggest craft beer polls, the GABS Hottest 100, is absolutely stoked to announce the first ever GABS Summer Craft Beer Festival Tour.

Globally recognised as producers of one of the world’s best beer festivals, GABS is bringing together some the best breweries from Australia and New Zealand for a whirlwind celebration of craft beer to welcome in 2021!

The GABS Summer tour launches on the Sunshine Coast Stadium Foreshore precinct on Saturday 2nd January, before moving on to the stunning Great Lawn at Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast on the 9th January.

GABS Managing Director, Mike Bray, said he is thrilled to be able to give Queenslanders the chance to share their love for Craft Beer in a way never seen before.

“We have two beautiful outdoor sites on some of the best coastline in Australia which we will be bringing to life with some of the country’s most loved craft breweries along with and a trendy Champagne and Wine zone, ensuring a great day out for everyone.”

“It has been on our agenda for some time to launch a summer tour and although we weren’t exactly planning to do it off the back of a pandemic, we are really excited to be able help everyone put a challenging 2020 behind them and kick off 2021 in true GABS specTAPular style!!”

The event is expected to attract interactive stands from the very best of Queensland’s growing craft brewing industry, providing attendees with the chance to chat with the team behind their products as they enjoy drinks from their core and limited-release range of beers, ciders and seltzers.

A feature at the festival will be two massive GABS Invitational Bars, these are huge 40ft container bars with 120 serving taps on each. They will carry beers from breweries across Australian that are not able to get to Queensland, due to any travel or financial restrictions.

Bray said “ It is important for GABS to use this opportunity to also support the out of state brewers that have been hardest hit by Covid. Not only will we be doing a small part in helping the industry recover but we also ensuring a great variety of choice for consumers at the Summer Festival.”

Attendees will be able to order tasting paddles at the Invitational Bars and select five different beer styles at a time.

Another highlight will be the New Zealand Festival Bar where ten breweries will be creating something exciting for the Festival. These unique beers will bring the very best of NZ creativity, quality, and diversity of styles.

While the range of beers are the stars of the show, GABS is just as well known for putting on a spectacular event.

The Summer Festival comes complete with giant Ferris wheel, great Jazz and Soul performers, panel discussions with industry leaders, Champagne and Wine bars for those wanting a little more than beer and fun activations. Some of the best local food trucks and vendors will also be serving up tasty treats at each event.

Bray commended Queensland health on their management of Covid and their willingness to allow festivals like GABS to come back to the market.

These two events will inject a seven-figure investment into the local sector and besides creating a platform for breweries, most of whom are small businesses, it also help revitalise the multiple layers of the event supply chain like infrastructure, venue hire, advertising, ticketing as well as creating jobs for those in hospitality, cleaning and security.

“We also stoked to announce the opening of our new GABS Queensland office and welcome [former Beer InCider event director] Bec Whitehouse to the GABS team,” Mike said.

“There’s so much going on at GABS, but at the end of the day, our goal is simple. We want everyone to experience just how fun the world of craft beer can be. Whoever you are, there’s something to amaze you at GABS. If you happen to be on holiday or live in the region, be sure to take a day off the beach and come join us!”

Exhibitors stands are on sale now at gabshub.com and tickets go on sale this week at gabsfestival.com.

Event Dates

Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast Stadium Foreshore
Sat 2 Jan 2021 (tickets on sale: Sat 14 Nov)

Gold Coast
Great Lawn, Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast
Sat 9 Jan 2021 (tickets on sale: Sat 14 Nov)

Brewers should also note that GABS will soon launch nominations for the 2020 Hottest 100:
Beer Nominations: 25 November – 7 December
Voting Open: 9 December 2020 – 15 January 2021
Count Down: Saturday 23 January